Words by Blyth Brentnall
Families and charities stepped up this Father’s Day to fundraise in the name of some fantastic dads. Here are some of the most touching stories to warm your heart.
Former rugby star with motor neurone disease completes a charity run
Former England Rugby League player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in late 2019. He completed the Arena Group Leeds Mini and Junior Run with his daughters Maya, eight, and Macy, 11. The event raised funds for charities including the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity via the charity's Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal.
Boy band’s widow attends Father’s Day charity football match
Kelsey Parker, who had two children with the Wanted singer, Tom Parker, attended a charity football match in aid of Ahead Of The Game Foundation, a cancer rehabilitation charity. Her husband died of a brain tumour glioblastoma in March 2022. Kelsey posted on Instagram: “Celebrating you today. Always loved, forever missed.”
Father completes 54-mile cycle ride in memory of his son
Sixty-year-old Brian Williams, cycled from Clapham Common to Brighton Seafront in aid of the British Heart Foundation’s work supporting people with heart diseases. He took part in memory of his son, Darren, who passed away from a complex heart issue aged 31.
Charity calls for better mental health support for single fathers
The charity, Dads House, called for better mental health support for lone fathers, who struggle to find flexible paid work while caring for their children. The charity’s founder, Billy McGranaghan, said that fathers often lack support options compared to single mothers.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
